Tony Pearce MAICD
Executive Consultant at Barrington CentreTony was appointed Victoria’s first Inspector-General for Emergency Management in 2014, an
independent Governor in Council Statutory Appointment, working closely with emergency
management sector partners and the community to strengthen Victoria's emergency
management arrangements and enhance community safety. He stepped down from the role after
a decade to establish his own business, Tony Pearce Advisory in February 2024.
For nearly 44 years he has worked in intelligence, national security and emergency/crisis
management spending 9 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before moving into the
emergency services/management sector. He has performed senior operational roles in a number
of Victorian emergency service organisations before moving to senior crisis coordination and
policy positions. Tony has held a number of senior roles in both state and federal government
including 4 years in the national role of Director-General, Emergency Management Australia.
He holds Graduate and Post-Graduate qualifications in Management, Health Science, Emergency
Management, and Public Administration and is a graduate of the Australia and New Zealand
School of Government, Victorian Leadership Development Centre, and Victorian Leadership
Academy.
Tony was founding President and Patron of the Oceania Council of the International Association
of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and a Global Board Member of the IAEM. He is the current Chair
of the Emergency Services Foundation, current Blue Ribbon Day Council Board Member, current
Advisory Board Member to the Australian Research Council project on ‘Collective Action and
Collaborative Governance in Crisis Situations’, former Chair of the International Advisory
Committee of the Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety at Melbourne University,
former Advisory Board Member to the Monash University Disaster Resilience Initiative, and a
Fellow of the Centre for Emergency and Disaster Management at Queensland University of
Technology.
Tony has dedicated his professional career to improving community safety outcomes and
through his role as Chair of the Emergency Services Foundation is a passionate advocate for
improving the mental health and well-being of emergency workers both volunteer and paid.
Commissioner Mike Wassing AFSM
Commissioner at NSW State Emergency ServiceMike Wassing (AFSM) is a highly experienced and decorated fire and emergency management leader with a commendable career spanning over three decades. He has held various senior executive roles within the State governments of Queensland and Victoria, demonstrating exceptional leadership and management skills across a broad range of responsibilities.
Starting his journey in 1990, Mike began as a career firefighter with the Country Fire Authority (CFA) after serving as a volunteer firefighter. This early period of his career saw him engaged in frontline roles, community engagement, risk management, and project leadership. Mike's dedication to service became evident through his efforts in enhancing community safety and implementing key emergency management initiatives.
Mike's demonstrated commitment led him further into pivotal roles such as the Assistant Emergency Services Commissioner and A/Deputy Emergency Services Commissioner for Victoria. He played a critical role during the Black Saturday fire events, where he directed significant disaster management reviews and contributed substantially to emergency management changes in Victoria.
His expertise was sought in Queensland as well, where he acted as the Director General/Commissioner for the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) during times of organizational crisis such as the 2019 Black Summer bushfires.
Mike has also been recognized for his steadfast commitment to volunteer support and management, having served as the Chief Officer for both the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service in Queensland, as well as the Fire Rescue Service.
Wassing has been acknowledged with the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for his exemplary leadership qualities and for fostering inclusive and positive organizational change. Furthermore, he has been awarded the National Emergency Medal for his contributions during the 2009 Black Saturday fires, Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017, the Northern Queensland Monsoonal event in 2019, and the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019/20.
He recently served as the Deputy Commissioner and Deputy State Recovery Coordinator for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, fortifying his legacy as a leader dedicated to fostering capabilities, driving innovation, and solidifying collaborative service delivery outcomes.
Mike commenced as NSW SES Commissioner in December 2024.
Rhonda Andrews
Managing Director of Barrington CentreRhonda Andrews is the Founder, Principle Psychologist and Managing Director of the National Consultancy and Psychological Practice, Barrington Centre, with 30 years of experience in leading training, crisis management, team development and consequence management. Rhonda works extensively with Australia’s leading and largest private and public corporations as well as Local, State, and Federal Government Bodies and Agencies.
Rhonda’s insights incorporate a deep understanding of human nature, alongside evidence-driven methodologies. Her focus uses proven techniques to help leaders and decision-makers develop confidence in skills in a myriad of environments and challenges, including:
• Dealing with issues, crisis, and stress in workplaces
• Fostering strong leadership skills in themselves and their teams
• Navigating complex workplace cultures
• Learning how to use decision-making frameworks to achieve better outcomes
• Improving communication styles and understanding team dynamics
With an engaging, direct and always refreshing speaking style, Rhonda has a unique ability to tap into the issues of the day and deliver insight-driven, solution-focused presentations.